A school district employee wrote to a colleague: “Can you over estimate the time that it would take you to compile/copy the invoices requested and let me know when you have a chance? Hopefully, when I let them know the cost they will not want to do it.”

We continue to stand behind the IDS, and we'll help them hold IU to its promises. These are courageous student journalists who refused to capitulate in the face of a bulldozing authority, and the risk to their essential work couldn't appear higher. splc.org/iu/

Reingold is right that the IDS is not profitable. That's an indictment of IU leadership — who have delayed or blocked efforts to address it — not the students who are now under threat. It's also a distraction. How many other programs must completely fund themselves while making such an impact?

Major unanswered questions:
▶️ When will IDS editors get their seat at the table?
➡️ When will the chancellor and provost meet with them?
➡️ Will IU let the IDS use its own money?
➡️ Will IU listen to the recommendations of the task force they're creating?

This is a first, positive step toward addressing the significant damage officials have done to IU's reputation as a home for independent student journalism. But IDS editors are right: We need to see much more to trust that they're ready to "reset and reaffirm what unites us," as the chancellor said.